"We all paid our dues" means something. We have all sat at the bottom of seniority lists at some point in our career. I can't even hold summer vacations with my seniority and I'm not bottom 2% on my seniority list. We've all had to fly the redeyes instead of the Hawaii flying, and we've all had to work holidays and weekends. Some of us have had to do it for a few months, some for a few years. Some of us survived with food stamps at the regionals, and made $10k/yr flight instructing and having to live with roommates or parents to get by. Then again, I knew what I signed up for, and didn't come to 121 from a 135 gig.

The junior guys at the big 3 on the wide body get last pick for when they get their crew rest. They also have redeyes and 3am body clock departures. The junior guys can't hold all holidays off or weekends. The only place I know of who does anything different is in the Middle East or Asia, where they do rotations for bidding for schedules.

Alaska will have movement, but it won't be like the big 3 who are having mass retirements. There will be upward movement, but don't expect 1 year upgrades like the others did the past few years.